Hollingbery Field House History

Completed in 1929, this building was originally known as Field House. It was renamed in 1963 for the University’s noted football coach from 1926-42, “Babe” Hollingbery. In 17 seasons his teams won 99 games, lost 57, and tied 19. He coached several All-American players, took his 1930 team to the Rose Bowl and was instrumental in establishing the East-West Shrine Football Game.

Hollingbery Fieldhouse was the foundation of the Physical Education, Intramural and Recreation programs at the university. It has been heavily used over the years, especially during the winter months as the primary indoor practice training facility, as a drill field for the ROTC Programs, and as an intramural field. In World War II, it was used extensively as a drill field and as physical education exercise facility for the armed services.

It is an imposing structure, much less ornate than the adjacent Bohler Gym, almost having the character of an industrial building. Its pitched roof echoes the form of Smith Gym and it gives a strong corner to the campus core.

Today, Hollingbery houses multiple athletic events and serves as a training facility for WSU’s ROTC programs as well.

To read more about Babe Hollingbery see: The Football Situation – October 1926 Alumnus magazine. Read more about the Fieldhouse at WSU Athletics’ site[The_Football_Situation_-_October_1926_Alumnus_magazine].